Minnesota · Le Sueur County
Gorman Lake Fishing guide
Gorman Lake covers 521 acres in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, reaching 14 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers6.7per gill net17"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 127 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 68 fish
2025Lengths measured · 59 fish
2022Lengths measured · 51 fish
2021Lengths measured · 53 fish
2020Northern pikeLast stocked 2025Just a few5.1per gill net24"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 102 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2025Lengths measured · 54 fish
2022Lengths measured · 44 fish
2019Lengths measured · 30 fish
2014BluegillJust a few3per trap net8"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 117 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 109 fish
2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 76 fish
2019Lengths measured · 34 fish
2014CrappieJust a few0.9per trap net7"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 624 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 443 fish
2025Lengths measured · 181 fish
2022Lengths measured · 233 fish
2019Lengths measured · 61 fish
2014Yellow perchExcellent numbers13.8per gill net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 247 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 108 fish
2025Lengths measured · 139 fish
2022Lengths measured · 132 fish
2019Lengths measured · 71 fish
2014No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Gorman Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.3 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 14-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 3.3 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. With 100% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 14-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25" | 10" | 36" |
| 2022 | 25" | — | 32" |
| 2021 | 8" | — | — |
| 2020 | 8" | — | — |
| 2019 | 24" | 14" | 38" |
| 2014 | 24" | — | 29" |
| 2009 | 24" | 15" | 34" |
| 2004 | 24" | 14" | 32" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Northern Pike | 42,383 fry |
| 2025 | Walleye | 124,750 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 124,750 fry |
| 2023 | Northern Pike | 91,913 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 124,750 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 249,500 fry |
| 2021 | Northern Pike | 40,964 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 249,500 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 249,500 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 249,500 fry |
| 2017 | Northern Pike | 87,325 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 758,660 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Gorman Lake is a 521-acre lake located approximately 4 miles southeast of Le Center in Le Sueur County. The lake has a maximum depth of 14. Gorman Lake is considered eutrophic with generally poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels. The lake is aerated during the winter in an effort to reduce winter kill. A DNR-owned public access is located on the south shoreline off Dodd Road, and a county-owned public access is located on the west shoreline within the town of Cordova.
Gorman Lake is primarily managed for Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Northern Pike. The management plan calls for stocking Lower Mississippi Strain Walleye fry at a rate of 250/littoral acre (N = 130,250) annually. Northern Pike fry are stocked in odd years at a rate of 175/littoral acre (N = 87,325) and other species are stocked as needed following winterkill events.
Read the full DNR narrative
Gorman Lake is designated as a Tier-2 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program every 6 years. The 2025 survey was completed the week of 23 June 2025 using 9 gill nets, 9 trap nets, and 61 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured.
Walleye were sampled at a rate of 6.9/ gill net. The previous catch rate in 2022 was 6.6/net and the average catch rate from 1994 to 2025 was 4.6/net. Walleye ranged from 7.4 to 25.0 inches with an average of 15.3 inches. An additional 7 Walleye ranging from 11.6 to 18.1 inches were sampled with trap nets. Walleye from both gears ranged from age-1 to over age-12 with 8 year classes present. Growth was fast with Walleye reaching 15 inches before age-3 and 20 inches around age-5.
Black Crappies were the most abundant fish surveyed in 2025. A total of 436 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 48.4/net. The 2022 catch rate was 20.1/net. Black Crappie sampled in 2025 ranged from 4.5 to 13.2 inches with an average of 8.5 inches. Black Crappies from both gears ranged from age-1 to age-8 with 8 year classes present. Most Black Crappies were age-2. Growth was fast with Black Crappies reaching 8 inches by age-3 and 10 inches by age-4.
A total of 27 Bluegills were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 3.0/net. The previous catch rate in 2019 was 8.1/net. Bluegills ranged from 4.3 to 9.4 inches with an average of 7.3 inches. Eighty-three more Bluegills ranging from 5.9 to 9.5 inches were sampled with gill nets. Ages from both gears ranged from age-2 to age-6 with 5 year classes present. Growth was moderate with fish reaching 7 inches by age-4. Ideal habitat is limited in Gorman Lake and inhibits our ability to produce a quality Bluegill fishery.
Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 4.1/net. The 2022 catch rate was 6.0/net and the average since 1994 was 3.3/net. Northern Pike ranged from 20.2 to 36.4 inches with an average of 24.73 inches. Approximately 49% of Northern Pike exceeding the legal minimum length of 24 inches. Eleven additional Northern Pike ranging from 19.6 to 36.4 inches were sampled with trap nets. Northern Pike numbers are trending up in Gorman Lake and the size should appeal to anglers.
Largemouth Bass are less common in Gorman Lake than in many other Waterville Area lakes. Only one Largemouth Bass was sampled with standard boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 1.0/hour. Just two total Largemouth Bass were sampled using all gears, these fish averaged 10.6 inches in length. Preferred habitat for Largemouth Bass is limited in Gorman Lake. A positive change in nearshore vegetation could lead to better habitat for Largemouth Bass and Bluegills.
Yellow Perch were the second most sampled game fish species in gill nets in 2025. A total of 109 were sampled for a catch rate of 12.1/net. The catch rate in 2022 was 15.6/net. Yellow Perch sampled in 2025 ranged from 6.3 to 11.6 inches with an average of 9.5 inches. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for managing both Walleye and Northern Pike in Gorman Lake and offer an additional target for anglers.
Black Bullhead numbers have been quite erratic in Gorman Lake since 1994 with survey numbers either exceeding 85/gill net or failing to surpass 6/gill net. The catch rate in 2025 was 10.3/gill net and low numbers had been sampled in 2009 and 2014 as well. Black Bullhead numbers often surge following fish kills and wane during periods of stability. Judging by the catch rates alone, Gorman Lake appears to be enjoying an extended period of stability since the early 2000s.
Common Carp remained a prominent member of the Gorman Lake fish community in 2025. A total of 19 fish ranging from 17.8 to 33.1 inches were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 2.1/net. High Common Carp numbers are correlated with poor nearshore habitat and water quality due to their destructive benthic feeding habits.
Other species sampled in 20225 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin, Freshwater Drum, Pumpkinseed, White Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of just 2.3 feet. Dissolved oxygen readings ranged from 8.1 ppm at the surface to 5.8 ppm at 13 feet. No thermocline was detected. Water temperatures were stable at 78.4 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the water column.
-Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Gorman Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Gorman Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Gorman Lake (S) (trailer launch)
- Gorman Lake (W) (trailer launch)
- Gorman Lake (SE) (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Gorman Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Volney Lake · 269 ac · 1.9 mi
- Sabre Lake · 258 ac · 2.8 mi
- Dora Lake · 733 ac · 3.8 mi
- Greenleaf Lake · 302 ac · 4.1 mi
- Sunfish Lake · 121 ac · 5.5 mi
- German Lake · 889 ac · 5.8 mi
- Clear Lake · 279 ac · 6.8 mi
- Roemhildts Lake · 74 ac · 6.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Gorman Lake?
Gorman Lake reaches 14 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Gorman Lake?
Gorman Lake covers 521 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Gorman Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Gorman Lake average 3.3 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Gorman Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, white bass.
Is Gorman Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked northern pike and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Gorman Lake have a public access?
Yes. Gorman Lake has 3 public access sites, including Gorman Lake (S) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Gorman Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2004.
When was Gorman Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Gorman Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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